Model 1, Richie Hawtin’s first PLAYdifferently offering
Model 1 is the first piece of gear to be released by PLAYdifferently, the partnership that was formed by Richie Hawtin and Andy Rigby-Jones, the man behind the Allen & Heath Xone.
The Model 1 is a six-channel analogue mixer with studio quality components boasting highly precise EQs, filters (high and low pass) including contour adjustments and an analogue input overdrive.
Other features include boutique phono preamps for turntables, master and booth outputs (the former being XLR of course) and two stereo sends and returns for effects which can be controlled across all 6 channels individually. Another pro feature is the 3-band master EQ and even 2-channel EQ for the booth which is really handy since those booth monitors can be hard on the ears at times.
Quality notwithstanding, a reasonably safe assumption considering the people involved, the Model 1 also has one or two of its own tricks up its sleeve to differentiate it from other top quality professional analogue mixers.
READ: Funktion One to release professional analogue DJ mixer
The unique feature is some called the Dual Cue System which is designed for back to back DJ sets by enabling one to choose what you want to hear in your headphones (as opposed to the other guy). There’s also a Mixer Link connector for hooking up multiple Model 1 mixers, possibly for use in the studio (remember it’s a studio quality unit) or for multiple DJs to all get involved.
Who will use it?
The Model 1 won’t be cheap. The retail price is £2,500 – a direct conversion (excluding import duties etc) is R 53,500 so this mixer will compete squarely with the likes of the Pioneer DJM2000Nexus.
Who will use it? Clubs and sound hire companies are the two most likely places you’d find a Model 1 but not any time soon. The Model 1 will only be available from 30 June so we may be lucky to see one by summer time.
Since four channels are the general standard, the Model 1 is also a great unit for Live acts as it has the extra channels for synths, drum machines, beat boxes etc as well as the FX sends/returns, the overdrive plus the ability to share one Mixer 1 between two DJs/artists and the option to link multiple units.
This means the Model 1 could make a great mixer instead of a regular studio mixer for Live electronic bands to use.
Of course DJs/producers who have a small selection of outboard gear could use the Model 1 as both a studio and Dj mixer at home.
PlayDifferently Website
Promo Video
[youtube_sc url=”2IiY8mU4IBU”]PLAYdifferently: Richie Hawtin & Guests
[youtube_sc url=”9TfkxMN-fGU”] [youtube_sc url=”zmZPmMEVuZA”]